Railway-car truck



M y 1929- c. J w. CLAS-EN RAILWAY CAR TRI-JGK 2 Sheets Sh'eet '1.

Filed Feb.- 25, 1928 ATTORNEYS Patented May 14, 1929.

cmws a. wearer.

cnasrim or navmrron'r, IOWA, Assmuon 'ro THE BE'rrENnon;

comrm, or IOWA, conroaa'rron or IOWA.

Bani warcilia TRUCK.,

Application. filed February 25,1928. Serial no. 256,946.

This invention relates to railway car trucks and has for its object to rovide a truck of simple, rugged and relative yinex ensive construction'in which rail frictiona-n tread wear are reduced to a minimum by mounting the supporting wheels for free rotation on their ax es. .1

A further object of the .invention is to uti lize the truck axles not only for mounting the supporting wheels but also as frame members roviding rigid connections between the side grams members.

A further object is to rovide a truck 111 which each wheel is rotata ly mounted onits side and is securely heldagainstlateral move-' ment on the axle. I

I A further objectdsto provide a constructionof the character above described in which the wheels, axles and other parts of the truck.

2-0 are? readily removable for replacement or repair.

Afurther object is to provide a construction which permits the use ofiiidependent seats for bolster springs at opposite sides of" the truck frame making it unnecessary to provide a rigid cross member such as a sprlng plank between central portions of. the side frame members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a truck of the character above described in which longitudinal frame members are: provided to the inner and outer sides of the wheels at each side of the truck, in which the frame members are rigidly attached to theaxles and in which provision is made for suspending the brake beams from the ends of the frame members.

- With the above and other objects in view, the invention may be said to comprise the truck as illustrated in the accompanying drawings hereinafter described and particnlarly set forth in the appended claims, together with such variations and modifications thereof as will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.

' Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view partially broken away to show the bolster guides and wheel mounting.

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the truck.

1 Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the truck, partly in section.-

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of one corner dug-transversely between the central portionsof the frame members. a The frame members oft-he truck, me; in section, showing a modified form. 1

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of one corner of the truck, Partly in section, showing a further modified. form. 4 c0 Asshown in the accompanyixi drawings,

the truck is provided with longitu linal frame I members 1 arranged in pairs'at opposite sides of the truck and also with a bolster 2 extendare connected by transverse axles 3 which carry the supporting wheels 4, which are positioned between the frame members of each pair at opposite sides of thetruck.

Each of the longitudinal frame members 1 is of truss form having a compression chord 5 and a tension chord 6 which merge into end portions 7 which-overlie'the axles 3. The end portions-7 of the frame members are rovided on the under sides thereof with half earings '8 to receive the axles and the axles are held in place by means of removable half bearings 9 which fit upon the under sides ofthe axles andare detachably secured to the end portions 7'of'the frame members by bolts 10.

The. axles 3 have portions 11 of reduced diameter which fit in the bearingsof the frame members and the axle is held against endwise movement in the frame members by shoulders 12 at their outer ends which engage the outer of the longitudinal frame anembersand shoulders 13, which enga e the inner faces of the inner longitudinal rame members. Between thelongitudinal frame no members of each pair, the axle has portions 14 adjacent thereduced portions 11 which are of greater diameter than the reduced portions and provide shoulders engaging the frame members on the. sides thereof opposite those ,-engaged by the shoulders 12 and 13. 'Between the two shoulder portions 14 at each end, the axle has seating portions 15 of greater diameter than portions 14 which are separated by a central collar or enlarged portion 16 which provide seats for race rings 17 which encircle the portions 15 and bear against the central collar 16. Each of the wheels 4 is provided with a hub 18 which has upon the interior thereof, a pair of racerings 19 which encircle the race rings li. In assembling the wheels upon the axles, the cen-' I tral collar 16 may he slipped on the axle after 5 the inner bearings have been applied, after which the outer bearings are secured in place;

"lie the shoulder portions 141 The race rings 17 and 19 have opposed faces of coniciil form and receive between. them conical b'earing rollers 20. The hubs 18 also carry oil retaining rings 21 which are bolted to the opposite ends thereof and closely overthe bearing rollers 20 are inclined in opposite directions in the two races and the race rings I 17 are held against lateral movement on the axle by central collars 16 on. the axle so that i the wheels are positively held against lateral movements on the axle; Wheels are thus mounted for rotation on the axles and the' diameter,

axles are held against rotation-in the frame members by means of he s 22 which engage in seats in the half bearings 8 of the frame members. Since the axles are not subjected to theusual torsional stresses, they may be made considerably lighter than is necessary when the supporting wheels are fixed to the axles. The wheels are mounted for independent rotation on the axles and since the wheels are mounted between pairs of adjacent 'side frames, the only. ortions of the axles sub'ected tobending orces due to' vertical load are those between-the ad acent side frames, "and consequently the intermediate portions 23 of the axles may be reduced in As shown in Fig; 1 of the drawing, the central portions 23 of the axles may. be of a (1min eter considerably less than that of the end ports for links 26 by which brake beams 27 are suspended from the frame. The brake beams 27 carry brake shoes 28 at their opposite ends and each is provided with a truss rod 29 and a central strut 30 interposed between the br'ake beam and truss rod. The brake beams are simultaneously actuated to apply the brake shoes to the wheels by means of levers 31 pivoted to the struts 30 and havingtheir lower ends connected by it connect-- ing rod 32. :The upper end'of one of the le'vers is connected by an adj ustable link 33 to a bracket 3-1 on the holster and the upper end of, the other lever may be connected to suitable actuating mechanism on the car.

The tension chord G of each of the longitudinal frame members l'is inclined downwurdly at each end from the end portions 7 to a central horizontal portion 35 and at opposlte ends of this horizontal portion, the tension andcomprcssion chords are connected by integral vertical columns 36. The

columns 36 are spaced apart sufficiently to provide between them a bolster opening 37 The axes of and have inwardly oli'set upper portions 38' formin' bolster guides. :{Ihe'bolster 2 extends through the openings of the frame members at each side of-the truck and isprovided with guide ribs 39 which overlie the inner and outer sides of the guide portions 380i each of the columns 36. The rigid connection bet-ween the longitudinal frai'ne members at opposite sides ofthe truck provided by the axles}; makes it unncuessary to provide a rigid tie between central portions'of the frame members and the usual spring plank is therefore replaced .with separate spring i seats 40, each of which is supported on the horizontal ortions 35-of the tension chords of the two i rame members at each side of the truck.- The spring seats 40 are of channel shape having vertical side flanges 4:1- and 'downtu'rned end flanges 42, which engage the outer sides of the tension chords.'-- The spring seats are additionallystrengthened by bottom ribs 43 formed inte spring seat and terminatin 8 thereof to provide spaces etween the :ends of the ribs 43 and the flanges 42 to receive the horizontal portions 35 of r the tension chords"? rally with the art of the ends The seats 40 may bemade of a; width and length to receiveian'y desired number of bol-:

ster supporting springs 44, which are interside ofthe bolster.

Fig. 4 ofthe drawing shows a modification of the invention in which longitudinal frame members 50 are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the truck and have fixed thereto posed between the spring seats and the 'under mounted supporting wheels .52. The short" axles are fixed to the frame members and the wheels 52 are mounted between the'frame members of each pair on roller bearings 53,

member'sof the truckare spaced and con- I nected by end cross bars 54 which'provide the connection between the frame members.

The cross bars 54 may be secured in any suit-- able manner to the ends of the frame members 5O forwardly of the front wheels and rcar\\-'ardly=of the rear wheels and may be provided adjacent opposite ends with integral brackets 55 from which the brake beams may be suspended. f

Fig. not the drawing shows a modification .of the invention in which the longitudinal frame members are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the truck, the frame members of each pair being connected by short axles 6,1, rigidly secured thereto. The snppoi-tin; wheels (32 are rotatably-mountcd'on the axles 61 and the rigid connection between the frame members at opposite sides of the truck is 'n'orided by end cross bars 63 conncctcd by any suitable means to the ends ofthe frame members 60. Each side 61 is provided midway between its ends with a por hon 64 adapted to receive race rings 65 which short axles 51 upon which are rotatably f In thismodification, the longitudinatframeare oppositely taperedto provide-races .-for

' of the wheel.

mounted on the axles,

conical rollers 66. Outer race rings 67 are. secured in thehub 68 of the wheel on site sides of acentral' inwardly projecting spacing rib 69 on theinterior of the hub. opposite sides of the ic entral 'portion fi l, the axle has threaded portions 70 which receive nuts 71- which serve tofa'clamp ei l retaining rings 72 againstthe ner race-fir ngs, [#the oil retaining rings 72"liaving a-blose fiirk ing fit withinopp0sit1imd'sbf the hu'h; 68' 'The nuts 70 serveto hold thef inner race rings against the thrustexerted through the rollers 'fifi-jand prevent lateral movements of the wheel on the axle;

It will be apparent that the present invention provides a relatively light truckwhich possesses great strength, thatthe mounting of the axles in the frame members makes it simple matter to remove the wheels and axles for repair and replacement of wheels or bearings and that sincethewheels are freely rotatable upon their axles, each wheel independently of the others, rail friction and tread wear will be reduced to a minimum.

It is also obvious that the keys 12 may be mounted in the keyways with a slight clearance to permit a partial rotation of the axles to allow one corner of the truckto negotiate uneven joints in the track without creating excessive torsional stresses in e'axle. It. is to be noted, however, that such keys will limit rotation of the axlesand the axles pr0- viderigid cross connections between the frame members. 3 2+ urthermore it-is to be understood that the partioular'iorm of apparatus shown and forth, are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration. and that various modiiications of said ap aratus and procedure can bemade without eparting from my 'inven-- tion as defined in the appended claims;

What I claim is: 1

' 1. A railway car truck having front and rear axles, supporting wheels rotatably four, longitudinal frame members arranged in pairs on oposite sides of the truck, said. frame members being secured to said axles and held against movement longitudinally of the axles, a bol-' ster yieldablysupported by the frame members and held against longitudinal movement whereby horizontal thrusts from the holster are transmitted to the four frame members.

2. A railway .car truck having a pair of longitudinal frame members at each. side thereot, transversely extending axles secured at their ends to the longitudinal frame members and rigidly connecting the frame members against movement longitudinally of the axles, wheels mounted on said axles for independent rotation, and roller bearings interposed between the wheels and axles,

3. A railway car truck having a pair of the longitudinal frame members at each side thereof, transversely extending axles secure d zit-their ends to the longitutdinal frame membersand rigidly connecting the frame members against movement longitudinally of the axles, wheels mounted'on said. axles for independent rotation, anti-friction hearings interposedbetween thewheels and axles, and means. for securing thebearings in .fixed p.0-'

sitions' on said axles. 2;

A railway car truck having' a pair of longitudinal; frame members atweb side thereof, transversely extending axles adj acent the frontand-rear of the truck, each axle being connectedat ends to said frame members, and providing a rigid connection between said members against movement longitudinallyof the axle, wheels mounted for independent rotationon each axle adjacent the opposite ends thereof-,and anti-friction bearings interposed between each wheel and 5. 'A railway car truck having a pairof longitudinal frame .members at each side "thereof, transversely extending axles adjacent the f-ront and rear of the truck, each axle being connected at its ends to said frame members, and providing a rigid'conncction between said members against movement longitudinally of the axle, wheels mounted for independent rotation on each axle adjacent the opposite ends thereof, anti-friction bearings interposed between each wheel and axle,

a bolster slidably mounted in the frame memhers centrally t ereof, and means for yield ably supporting the bolster on said frame members. described, and the particular procedure set 6. A railwa car truck having a pair of longitudinal. rame members at each side thereof, transversely extending axles fixed at their ends to longitudinal frame members and ri 'dly connecting the frame members, said ax es having enlarged portions between airs of bearings mounted on said enlarged ortions and held against movement along t e axle, and independently rotatable supporting wheels mounted on said bearings.

7. A railway car truck having front and rear axles, anti-friction bearings carried by said axles, independently rotatable supportframe members, anti-friction I ing wheels mounted on said bearings, a pair i of longitudinal side frame members at each side of the truck overlying said axles and f having half hearin s to receive said axles,

complcmental half bearings detachably secured to said frame members, and means for securing the axles against rotation in said frame members.

8. A railway car truck having front 'and rear axles, anti-friction bearings carried by.

said axles, supporting wheels rotatable on said bearings, a pair of longitudinal side frame members at each side of the truck overlying said axles and having half bear- -9. "A railway cartruck having, axles, supings to'ieceive said axles, complement al'half bearings detachahly secured to said framemembers, shoulders on the axle engaging the frame members. to hold the axle against end wise movement in the frame. members, and. keys-for limiting rotation of the axles in the fri m members. r

porting, wheels rotatably mounted on anti riction hearings on said axles, and longitu-- di'nal framemembe'rs'eonhected to the endsof said axles and spaced thereby, said frame members extending past the front andrear wheels Itoprovide brake beam. supports in advanced the frontwheels and to'the'rear of the rear'wh'eels. .v ;""10..'- 'A railway car truck having at each side thereofiZ-a pair of spaced'lon itudinal frame members, axles secured to an holding go said frame members in spaced relation, and

'supporting:- wheels rOtatably mounted on arityfrictionibearihgs on the axles between them-mama frame members of each pair. 2 51 igirailwaypartruck having front and n leswmm wh rotatably members having alin mounted on anti-friction hearings on the axles adjacent the ends thereof, a pair of Iongitudinal frame members at each sideof the truck secured in said axles, the frame members of each pair lying upon opposite sides of front and rear supportin wheels, said frame openings, a holster having its ends extending into said openings, a seat carried .by each pair of frame mem rs, and. bolster sup porting springs carried by eachspring seat.

-l 12. A railway car truck havjng'fro'nt and rear axles, supporting wheels rotatably mounted on anti-friction bearings on the axles adjacent the ends thereof, longitudinal framemembers of truss form at opposite sides'of the truck,,each having tension and compression chords merging into end por- -tions which overlie the axles and extend past the front and rear wheels to provide brake beam supports, said end port-ions being securedto the axles and holding them in spaced relation.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. .CLAUS J. WERNER CLASEN.

bolster receiving 

